By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Board Member & Volunteer A healthy animal is a happy animal, and the animals at Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) receive the very best medical care to keep them happy. All staff members are trained to do initial health exams on each animal that comes into the shelter.  If a staff member notices anything of concern during this exam, then the animal is referred to veterinarian, Dr. Annie Schultz-Cordova, DVM. Animals that appear healthy, are up to date on rabies vaccines, and are already spayed/neutered, may not see Dr. Annie......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer and Board Member The “Dog Days” of summer are here, and on Monday, August 1, DOGust began. In 2008, the world’s largest no-kill shelter and adoption organization, North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, New York, chose August 1, “DOGust,” as the universal birthday for all shelter dogs who have no records. Shelter workers can estimate a dog’s age, but they cannot precisely determine the day a dog was born.  Because no one at North Shore Animal League wanted to see a sweet dog without a birthday, DOGust began. It is now considered a universal birthday......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer and Board Member They passionately work with empathy, skill and professionalism.  They are the Animal Care Technicians ( ACTs) at the Ark-Valley Humane Society.  Theirs is a demanding job, one they take seriously, giving “True TLC.” The role of these ACTs is divided into 3 main areas:  running the front of the facility, care of healthy dogs and isolation area care.  What a typical day looks like depends on the area the technician is working. If in charge of the front of the house, the ACT is......

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by: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer Columnist On these warm or hot summer days our Willow dog loves to romp through the woods, but if she’s too warm she simply runs from one shady spot to the next shady spot and we return to the car and cut that walk short. Returning she knows there is a pool she can wade in and water she can drink. As dogs don’t sweat, she still pants for a while after her walk. As do I. Walking her in town is a whole other story. What......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Board Member and Volunteer The Ark-Valley Humane Society cared for almost 30 kittens in April, and they have been getting more kittens every week.  It is raining, maybe even pouring, kittens this year after a few past seasons of dwindling kitten numbers. Humans can open up a protective umbrella from this downpour by getting their pets and neighborhood feral cats spayed and neutered. This act of animal kindness might have prevented the story of Dory, her kitten mates and their moms, all found in one location in April.  Fortunately, the outcomes for most were happy, but that is not the case for all kittens born to feral......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Board Member and Volunteer Summer in the mountains is a time for adventure, and it is even more exciting when shared with our furry companions. It is healthy to be active with our loyal dogs, but we need to remember it is summer in the mountains.  At altitude, the atmosphere is thinner, the sun more intense, the air dryer and hot is hotter. Dogs have physiological reactions to high altitude similar to what their humans experience.  Those effects if ignored can result in serious health issues. Fortunately for our......

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by: Heather Mills & Nikki Ritter, AVHS ACT and Transport Coordinator  When AVHS staff first met Aspen and Autumn, a pair of two year old Australian Cattle Dog sisters, we knew immediately that they were two very special girls. Surrendered to the shelter by a caring individual, it was explained that the pair were recently saved from being shot by a farmer who raised them. Staff was told that Autumn is deaf and that she and Aspen were a bonded pair. The girls had to be carried into the building because they had never worn collars......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer  On August 11, I said goodbye to my miniature schnauzer, Pip.  My home is empty, and my heart aches.  Just like so many other pet lovers, I find myself asking, “Why does losing a pet hurt so much”, and with guilt adding, “almost more than the loss of a human?” My friends and I have discussed this and postulated our theories.  I decided to see what authorities have to say on the subject. What I read from psychologists, veterinarians, and animal support organizations made me realize that......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer  Just like humans, dogs cough, sneeze and snore, and just like humans, a little is normal.  However, when any one becomes persistent, it could indicate a serious problem. Coughing Coughing is part of everyday life for dogs who can sniff 4-6 times per second, as they may be trying to get rid of dust or other “stuff” they have inhaled. If their coughing worsens or becomes more frequent, it could be a sign of more serious causes, such as allergies, infections, viruses, kennel cough, sore throat, partial......

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by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer  Pip, my 14 year old miniature schnauzer just whined. She also is looking at me with those pleading puppy-dog eyes.  She is saying, “Pet me, please.”  If someone were to come to the door, she would bark a greeting, but if the guest were to move to pet her, she would growl a warning, “Do not touch me.  I have arthritis, and you might hurt me.” This is “Pip Speak.”  Every dog has his own unique way of talking.  We humans just need to know how to......

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